Veterans

There is no higher priority to me than fighting for those who chose to serve their country in uniform. As a 20-year Navy veteran, I know firsthand the unique challenges and opportunities that our veterans face as they transition out of service.

As a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I work closely with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find ways to support veterans and their families. On the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, I have pressed the VA to find ways to streamline jobs programs to make them easier to use for veterans, and I am a cosponsor of the Reduce Unemployment for Veterans of All Ages Act. This bill will repeal a limitation preventing veterans who have been out of the service for longer than 12 years from participating in employment programs. I also joined the leading Republican on the Committee in cosponsoring a bill to allow veterans to qualify for in-state tuition in any state they choose.

I am also advocating on behalf of Gold Star families harmed by the 2017 tax law. Together with a bipartisan group of cosponsors, I introduced the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, which would repeal an error in the 2017 tax reform bill that was causing some Gold Star families to pay thousands of dollars in additional taxes on their survivor benefits. This bill passed the House as part of a larger legislative package. With the support of Democrats, Republicans, and nonpartisan organizations, we are working to fix a flaw in our tax law and provide more financial security to America’s most heroic families.

More on Veterans

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Congresswoman Luria joined a bipartisan group to call on Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs Thomas McCaffery to allow mental telehealth services to be covered under TRICARE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Telehealth services have been critical in providing patient treatment while states remain under various degrees of stay-at-home orders, particularly mental health services.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – On Memorial Day, Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, Congresswoman Elaine Luria, honored those who have served our country and reflected on those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria joined fellow House Committee on Veterans Affairs (HVAC)’s Economic Opportunity Subcommittee members in a virtual roundtable to discuss the VA’s Loan Guaranty Service and the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on veterans’ home loans and veterans in her district.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – This week, Congresswoman Elaine Luria sent a letter to House leadership to urge them to bring the Department of Veterans Affairs Website Accessibility Act (S. 746) to the floor for a vote in order to ensure disabled veterans have access to the benefits they have earned.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Congresswoman Luria joined Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester in spearheading the introduction of a bill to help ensure military families and retirees have access to affordable prescription drugs while staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As Congress considers legislation to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congresswoman Elaine Luria sent a letter urging House Leadership to temporarily eliminate copays for mail order prescription drugs through TRICARE.

In her letter, Congresswoman Luria argued temporarily eliminating copays for mail order prescription drugs would allow TRICARE beneficiaries to access their medication at no out of pocket cost while practicing social distancing.

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Luria’s Veterans’ Compensation Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Act of 2020 and her Transparency for Student Veterans Act passed the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) during markup, clearing the path for House passage of two critical initiatives to assist Virginia’s veterans.

This week, Congresswoman Elaine Luria supported the House passage of multiple pieces of legislation that would advance key priorities for veterans. These range from easing the financial burdens of Gold Star Families to increasing transparency at the VA.

The House passed the Gold Star Spouses and Spouses of Injured Servicemembers Leasing Relief Expansion Act. This bipartisan bill would provide much-needed financial relief to military families suffering from the loss or a catastrophic injury of a loved one.

WASHINGTON – Today Congresswoman Elaine Luria introduced the Military Pilot Cancer Incidence Study Act (H.R. 5858) with Congressman Adam Kinzinger (IL-11). This bipartisan bill would help the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs fully understand the incidence of cancer diagnosis and mortality among pilots in the uniformed services in order to ensure access to quality preventative health care for servicemembers.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria had a productive week on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) and the House Armed Services Committee (HASC). Over the last few days, the Congresswoman introduced a bill to give veterans more information higher education options, questioned Navy leadership about military readiness, and highlighted struggles that military sexual trauma (MST) survivors face as they pursue VA claims.

WASHINGTON – This week, Congresswoman Luria participated in the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs’ (HVAC) full committee hearing on veteran suicide. Throughout the hearing, Congresswoman Luria pressed VHA and medical officials for answers on the effectiveness of the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) work in preventing veteran suicides and on their ability to hire and retain quality personnel.

WASHINGTON – Today, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chair Elaine Luria (VA-02) reflected on the legislative and oversight accomplishments of her subcommittee in 2019.

A 20-year Navy veteran who retired at the rank of Commander, Congresswoman Luria became the first-ever woman veteran from a military service branch to serve on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC), and the first to lead an HVAC Subcommittee.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week advocated on behalf of Hampton Roads veterans by working to promote women veterans and address challenges related to the implementation of the Forever G.I. Bill.

WASHINGTON – Returning to the nation’s capital after an active Veterans Day weekend in Virginia’s Second District, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week supported a bipartisan slate of bills to help local veterans and their families.

HAMPTON ROADS – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today reflected on the importance of helping American veterans and on their importance to our Hampton Roads community.

A 20-year Navy veteran serving a district that is home to numerous military installations and over 100,000 veterans, Congresswoman Luria has been a staunch advocate for our nation’s veterans and military families. One of her top priorities is ensuring that all veterans have the resources they need to thrive after their service.

WASHINGTON – Two months before a comprehensive new law for Vietnam veterans goes into effect, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chair Elaine Luria (VA-02) today pressed top VA officials on implementation efforts, identifying gaps that need to be filled.

WASHINGTON – House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chair Elaine Luria (VA-02) today led her panel in a bipartisan legislative hearing on bills that would help veterans.

WASHINGTON – The House today passed Congresswoman Elaine Luria’s (VA-02) bill to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study and submit a plan to Congress that would make VA websites accessible for veterans affected by blindness or hearing loss.

Congresswoman Luria was glad to hear Director Collins intends to set his sights on improved access for patient care, reduced wait times, and increased patient satisfaction for veterans living in the Hampton Roads region.

VIRGINIA BEACH – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today attended and gave remarks at the Grow with Google & United Service Organizations (USO) Training in Virginia Beach. Representatives from USO and Google facilitated networking opportunities and workshops to help participants develop their skills, find jobs, and grow their careers.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week led a bipartisan letter to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, urging him to immediately bring up the House-passed SECURE Act for a vote on the Senate floor.

VIRGINIA BEACH – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) spoke Friday at a meeting of the Hampton Roads Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (HRCMOAA), describing her efforts to help servicemembers, military families, and veterans to an audience of local retired military officers, spouses, and guests.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced the House of Representatives approved a pair of her amendments as part of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to help servicemembers and their families.

These include an amendment to ensure that the men and women who educate the children of military families are not subject to unfair taxation and another to encourage continued research that is occurring within the Navy’s Wound Care Research Program.

WASHINGTON – This week, the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs unanimously adopted an amendment introduced by Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) to ensure that blind veterans get the housing adaptations they need to live independently at home and with their families.

“Blind veterans sacrificed for America,” Congresswoman Luria said. “They deserve equal access to important opportunities for growth and independence, and I am honored to champion their cause. It’s great news that the Committee unanimously moved our amendment forward.”

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), the Chair of the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, and Congressman Phil Roe, M.D. (TN-01), the Ranking Member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, today introduced a bill to expand the availability of in-state tuition rates to student veterans regardless of when they were discharged from the military.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) this week secured language in a House-passed funding bill directing the Department of Defense (DoD) and other agencies to prioritize important issues related to military readiness, renewable energy, and veteran assistance.

WASHINGTON – House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chairwoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) on Thursday led a legislative and oversight hearing to help ensure access to disability benefits for veteran survivors of military sexual trauma (MST).

The Subcommittee discussed H.R. 1092, the Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2019, a bill that would expand health care and benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for MST.

WASHINGTON – In passing the SECURE Act today, the House pushed through a fix first introduced by Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) that would provide urgent relief to Gold Star Families impacted by the 2017 tax law that caused America’s most heroic families to see drastic tax increases.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced that the number of service, veteran, and survivor organizations to offer their support for H.R. 2481, the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, climbed to 20. This is in addition to 155 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle and the formal endorsement of a bipartisan veterans caucus in Congress.

WASHINGTON – Today at a press conference on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Elaine Luria spoke on behalf of Gold Star Families and her bipartisan bill that would provide tax relief to survivors of the fallen.

Congresswoman Luria’s Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, H.R. 2481, would fix a consequence of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that is causing Gold Star Families to see drastic tax increases.

WASHINGTON — Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced that key veterans service organizations — including the American Legion, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and Military Officers Association of America — have endorsed her Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, marking new momentum for a bill that has garnered 124 cosponsors and the endorsement of a bipartisan veterans caucus in Congress.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) announced she will serve as Vice Chair and co-founder of the Servicewomen and Women Veterans Congressional Caucus (SWWV).

Following the record-setting arrival of four women veterans in the House – the largest number ever – the formation of the caucus is intended to foster collaboration among House members and address issues facing America’s servicewomen and women veterans.

WASHINGTON – After several instances of fighting on behalf of Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans in Congress, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today spoke on the House floor and voted in support of a bill she proudly cosponsored that would bring overdue health and disability benefits to a long-neglected group of veterans.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced an additional staff hire as her team expands in Virginia’s Second Congressional District. The new hire, Terra Johnson, will serve as a Wounded Warrior Fellow in Congresswoman Luria’s Virginia Beach office.

WASHINGTON – In a history-making moment, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chairwoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today led her panel during its first legislative hearing on bills that would help veterans.

WASHINGTON – Last night at a House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) challenged top VA officials on the fact that they could not answer basic questions about VA’s low benchmark of success for preventing veteran suicide.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, has introduced a bill that would direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study and submit a plan to Congress that would make VA websites accessible for disabled veterans.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced she is an original cosponsor of bipartisan legislation that would increase accountability and oversight over private contractor-provided housing for military families, which have suffered from serious health, safety, and environmental problems.

WASHINGTON – Today, during a joint House and Senate hearing highlighting the Legislative Presentation of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) organization, House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs (DAMA) Chairwoman Elaine Luria made the following statement.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria today criticized President Trump’s national emergency declaration because it could potentially steal up to $131.7 million worth of urgently needed Department of Defense funds for Virginia military construction projects that are critical to national security and the well-being of our armed forces.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today was named Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, a critical position for the Hampton Roads region.

“I’m proud to take leadership roles that will produce bipartisan solutions for active-duty military and veterans,” Congresswoman Luria said. “With jurisdiction over maritime programs, shipbuilding, and more, the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee is crucial to the Hampton Roads community, and I am honored to serve in this capacity.”

WASHINGTON – In a history-making appointment, Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02) today announced her chairmanship of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Elaine Luria (VA-02), a 20-year Navy veteran, secured a seat on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where she will fight for American veterans and perform oversight duties on the VA.